Executive Order by President Trump Strengthens U.S. Trade Enforcement and Job Creation

WASHINGTON, D.C., March 31, 2017 – “We are very pleased that President Donald Trump has taken major action today to strengthen U.S. trade enforcement,” said American Shrimp Processor Association (ASPA) Executive Director Dr. David Veal. “Making it harder for foreign companies to evade legally required duties helps to level the playing field for U.S. companies like ASPA members against unfair foreign competitors,” he added.

“For imported shrimp and many other imported products covered by orders, there have been problems with importers disappearing or not paying duties found owed. Under this order, Customs and Border Protection will have 90 days to devise a plan to protect the revenue where importers pose risks by requiring additional bonding or other security,” said ASPA Gulf Trade Counsel, Eddy Hayes. “Ensuring that high risk importers cannot import dumped or subsidized imports and then escape liability for duties owed is an important step towards improving the effectiveness of U.S. trade remedies,” he commented.

“In an industry like shrimp, where small, family-owned American businesses have to compete with large volumes of unfairly traded imports, foreign duty evasion is a perennial and widespread problem,” commented Dr. Veal. “When this order is implemented, duty collection should immediately improve. That means the competitiveness of our U.S. shrimp industry improves and our ASPA members can create more jobs.”